Long grass a hazard

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 433, 21 April 1992, Page 7

Long grass a hazard

Long grass on roadside verges on some back-country roads is causing concern for some Waimarino ratepayers. Waimarino Community Board member Winston Oliver told

members at the last board meeting that he had fielded complaints from two families, who say long grass on verges along their access road is obstructing drivers' visibility. Mr Oliver maintained that growth along low-

usage roads was not being addressed. Some roads in the area received no attention whatsoever he said, while there were other areas receiving more attention than necessary. He suggested that addressing low-usage road

maintenance on a yearly basis rather than the usual 2-3 years would prove a more practical and economical solution for the council. Mr Oliver also suggested that Council cut back in the overall standard of mowing in

the area during the lowgrowth season, to allow for more mowing on rural roadsides. The board heard that there is more than 3000km of cutting in the Ruapehu District, with vegetation control on roadsides the total responsibility of the Operations Business Unit. On most roads the specification is one metre wide cuts on both sides of straight areas of road, and two metre wide cuts on corners, when the vegetation exceeds 500mm in height. In little used roads the specification is relaxed or no vegetation control is required. The matter was referred to Don Sattler for further investigation.